The Onogie of Ewu from the Esan Central Local Government Area within Edo State, His Royal Highness Jafaru Isesele I, has requested the newly appointed Edo State Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, to implement the Supreme Court ruling in Case Number SC147/2014 pertaining to the leadership rights for the position of Onogie of Ewu.

In the ruling, the highest court directed Prince Razak Yusuf Ojiefo, who has unlawfully occupied the Ewu palace, to leave the premises and pay a sum of three million naira as costs to the ruler.

In a plea submitted by his attorney, Kingsley Obamogie (SAN), to the newly appointed Commissioner of Police, the prominent Esan leader mentioned that Agbonika’s former head, the transferred Edo State Commissioner of Police, Betty Enekpen Isokpan Otimenyin, did not offer the required law enforcement assistance to the Edo State Judiciary for implementing the Supreme Court ruling.

Despite a directive from the Chief Judge (CJ) of Edo State issued through a letter dated March 24, 2025, and signed by Mrs. M.O. Okoeguale, who serves as a Deputy Director at the Edo State High Court Registry on behalf of the CJ.

The petition entitled “AGAINST – REENFORCEMENT OF THE VERDICT BY THE NIGERIAN SUPREME COURT IN CASE NO. SC/147/2014: PRINCE RASAK YUSUFU OGIEFO V HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS JAFARU ISESELE I & OTHERS” was sent to the Chief Justice, the Federal Attorney General (AGF), as well as the head of the Department for State Security (DSS) in Edo State.

A related court annuls a 15-year-long marriage due to insufficient affection. The spouse became pregnant with another man’s child even though she lived under my roof—the husband stated. “Whenever I asked for money to buy food, my husband would get enraged, punch me, and lash out at me,” she added.

The Special Anti-robbery Unit (SAN) pointed out that despite having everything set up to carry out the Supreme Court ruling on March 25, 2025, the Edo State Police Command led by CP Otimenyin declined to provide support for the court-appointed bailiffs heading to Ewu.

As stated in the petition, the ex-CP alleged that access to Ewu was obstructed and that there were tensions within the community.

Nonetheless, it was highlighted that the police have a constitutional duty to supply armed personnel for enforcing court decisions—particularly since the Supreme Court ruling on the Ewu stool was documented in the Nigeria Weekly Law Report under Ogiefo v Isesele I [2035] N.W.L.R. Part (1975) 1.

The petition noted, “On July 19, 2024, the Nigerian Supreme Court issued its carefully deliberated ruling in this particular appeal, rejecting the plea made by Mr. Prince Rasak Yesufu Ogiefo because it lacked substantial grounds.”

The supreme court upheld the combined rulings of the High Court of Edo State and the Court of Appeal, which declared our client as the rightful heir to the title of Onogie of Ewu. The court also ordered the appellant to vacate the palace of the Onogie of Ewu in favor of our client.

For clarity, certified true copies of the registered judgments/orders from the High Court of Edo State, the Court of Appeal, and the Supreme Court of Nigeria pertaining to this case are provided here and labeled as Annexures A1, A2, and A3, respectively.

After the ruling, our client initiated the required procedures for implementation. These were properly handled and sanctioned by a High Court judge in Edo State, adhering to the stipulations outlined in Section 287(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as revised.

On March 21, 2025, the High Court of Edo State sent a letter officially requesting armed police protection for the sheriffs and bailiffs of the court. This was done with the aim of executing the aforementioned Supreme Court ruling on Tuesday, March 25, 2025.

For clarity purposes, a copy of said letter along with the accompanying procedure is hereby designated as Annexure A4.

Surprisingly, despite all preparations being completed for the execution scheduled on March 25, 2025, the police declined to join the bailiffs heading to Ewu. They cited unfounded reasons, claiming the route to Ewu was obstructed and that unrest prevailed within the town.

These assertions were subsequently verified by us as untrue. On March 25, 2025, no roads in Ewu were obstructed, nor did this occur on any alternative dates.

Without a doubt, the police have the duty under both the Constitution and Section 11 of the Sheriffs and Civil Process Act to ensure the safety of court bailiffs when they carry out judicial orders. Neither persons nor organizations can stand above the law.

This point was reinforced by the Supreme Court in the aforementioned case, which is now cited as Ogiefo v Isesele I [2025] 2 N.W.L.R. (Pt. 1975) 1, notably at page 29, where Justice Agim of the Supreme Court stated:

‘It goes without saying that neither institutions nor individuals, regardless of their status, should be permitted to approach the courts—the sacred sanctuaries of justice—with disrespect, frivolity, or disdain.’

The monarch emphasized: “Where the rule of law prevails, actions taken through violent means for personal gain are discarded.”

Nigeria, which strongly asserts its commitment to the rule of law globally, does not tolerate resolving issues through violent means.

When a disagreement occurs between an individual and either the government or another authoritative body, and this issue escalates to the point where it is presented before a court—thus activating the legal jurisdiction of the state—it becomes the responsibility of the government to permit due process under the law.

Each citizen must unequivocally adhere to court rulings. The Nigerian Police bear a clear responsibility under Section 287(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria from 1999, as revised, which states:

‘287(1) The ruling made by the Supreme Court must be implemented across the Federation by all entities including authorities, individuals, and lower courts.’

“Given these conditions, we respectfully ask for your assistance to ensure that armed police protection is provided to the bailiffs of the High Court of Edo State so they can carry out the ruling from the Supreme Court of Nigeria in case number SC/147/2014, which was recorded on July 19, 2024. This decision upholds the rulings made concurrently by both the High Court of Edo State and the Court of Appeal regarding the Ewu chieftaincy dispute,” implored the monarch.

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE

Stay updated with the latest news from Tribune Online in real time! Connect with us on WhatsApp for instant access to breaking news, special reports, and insightful interviews, along with many additional features. Subscribe to our WhatsApp Channel today!

Provided by Syndigate Media Inc. (
Syndigate.info
).